Celebrating A Well-Appointed Life with Salcedo Auctions
The auction house's marquee event lives up to its stellar reputation with a blockbuster room list, up for live and online bidding on Saturday, September 17
Since its founding in 2010, Salcedo Auctions has dedicated itself to showcasing artworks of historic and aesthetic significance, each piece redefining the milieus and spaces that they inhabit to epitomize the power of art and the connoisseur-collector to shape ‘The Worlds We Create.’
The auction house’s 8th edition of its marquee The Well-Appointed Life sale lives up to that vision with a room list anchored by an outstanding selection from 13 of the country’s 17 National Artists for Visual Arts, foremost of these being arguably the most beautiful Vicente Manansala piece to go to auction in recent memory, Ang Kiukok’s exquisite PAG-era oils once owned by an ex-CIA agent and diplomat, and a rare and powerful 1969 BenCab untitled mother and child. Other covetable pieces include Fernando Zobel’s first painting, and the largest Oscar Zalameda offered for bidding, Vicente Manansala’s untitled depiction of vendors shows the artist’s bold yet tender visual vocabulary showcasing not only the allure of Neo-realist Cubism but also the sumptuously laden mood and festive palette of a quintessential Philippine scene.
Oscar Zalameda’s untitled fiesta-themed canvas is just as vibrant, which, at 63 1/2 x 119 inches, stands quite possibly as the largest work by the artist remaining in private hands and certainly the biggest to ever be offered at auction to date.
Fans of Ang Kiukok, meanwhile, will delight in the artist’s early works exhibited at the eminent Philippine Art Gallery: “Bananas #3’ and ‘Bananas #4”, owned by ex-CIA agent, USAID director, diplomat and published author Rufus Phillips. Both will go under the hammer this September, along with three other significant Kiukok oils and watercolors, namely “Crucifixion”, “Watermelon”, and “Window with Potted Plant.”
In the past, Fernando Amorsolo’s signature light regularly graced The Well-Appointed Life™ sale, gaining top hammer prices in the process. For this edition, though, collectors will have the opportunity to acquire a rare work from the artist’s war period with Amorsolo’s “The Burning of Manila,” its brooding palette in stark contrast with the artist’s post-war oeuvre. Similarly, collectors of Nena Saguil’s abstracts will have an opportunity to acquire an unusual red early Paris-period piece by the artist.
In the same vein, the auction house has had remarkable success with works by rivals Juan Luna y Novicio and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, to build a reputation as the world’s premier resource for pieces by the two artists. At the auction, samples of their masterful works await their next home where the new owners can marvel at the power of Luna and Hidalgo’s artistry across different mediums.
Another example of virtuosic craftsmanship comes in the form of an exquisite Ah Tay bed with ‘granada’ fruit motif, made by famed Chinese furniture maker, Ah Tay. His iconic calabasa bed has remained one of the most coveted pieces of furniture in our history. Instantly recognizable for its imposing stately grandeur and elegance, and quintessential design elements.
There’s so much more offered for this edition of The Well-Appointed Life which highlights works created by some of the country’s old, modern, and contemporary masters, artists, and artisans. The pieces presented in this sale exemplify the pinnacle of quality—the embodiment of ‘Important Philippine Art,’ the definition of a ‘Connoisseur Collection,’ and the dazzling array of ‘Fine Jewelry & Timepieces’ that continue to awe and inspire.
Preview the lots up for bid in the photo gallery below:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Vicente Manansala, ‘Untitled (Vendors), 1978, Oil on canvas
“With a bold yet tender visual vocabulary, ‘Untitled (Vendors)’ by Vicente Manansala showcases not only the allure of Neo-realist Cubism but also the sumptuously laden mood and festive palette of a quintessential Philippine scene, presenting collectors a rare opportunity to acquire arguably the most beautiful Manansala to go to auction in recent memory."
Ang Kiukok, ‘Bananas # 3’, 1957, Oil on wood
“Highlights not to be missed include ‘Bananas #3’ and ‘Bananas #4’ from the eminent Philippine Art Gallery. Both masterpieces are the epitome of museum-quality paintings, and provide a unique glimpse into the profound seminal early works of National Artist Ang Kuikok.”
Ang Kiukok, ‘Bananas # 4’, 1957, Oil on wood
“Highlights not to be missed include ‘Bananas #3’ and ‘Bananas #4’ from the eminent Philippine Art Gallery. Both masterpieces are the epitome of museum-quality paintings, and provide a unique glimpse into the profound seminal early works of National Artist Ang Kuikok.”
Ang Kiukok, ‘Window with Potted Plant’, 1975, Oil on canvas
“Among National Artist Ang Kiukok’s most recognizable still life leitmotifs is the humble potted plant positioned in front of a window. His mastery of semi-figurative abstraction is evident in his fragmentation of the plant, still made life-like and dynamic by the work’s vibrant hues and undulating lines.”
Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, ‘Tempestad Nocturna’, Oil on canvas
“Tempestad Nocturna, or night storm, features a turbulent ocean set against a blustery sky. Hidalgo captures the violent movement of the waves in shades of muted greens and the sky above in dark blues.”
Fernando Amorsolo, ‘The Burning of Manila’, 1946, Oil on board
“A departure from his usual genre and pastoral paintings, but no less important than his idealized images of the countryside, The Burning of Manila features a scene of ravaged capital as if witnessed through a veneer of smoke.”
Juan Luna y Novicio, ‘Reclining Warrior’, c 1887, Watercolor on board
“In keeping with the tradition and reputation of The Well-Appointed Life being the world’s premier venue for the presentation of works by Juan Luna, Salcedo Auctions is pleased to present this ravishing watercolor dated around 1887.”
Fernando Zóbel, ‘Untitled (Bodegón)’, 1948, Oil on canvas backed on board
“A ‘bodegon’ or ‘still-life’ listed in Zóbel’s catalogue raisonné as his very first work. It is clearly reminiscent of Van Gogh’s early still lifes — the Dutch post-impressionist being known as an early artistic influence.”
Oscar Zalameda, ‘Untitled (Fiesta)’, Oil on canvas
“Zalameda’s subjects all carry a spirited, celebratory energy — musicians carry instruments, people bear food and balloons. This atmosphere is further amplified by the sheer size of the piece, which Salcedo Auctions is proud to say is the largest Oscar Zalameda piece to be offered at auction to date.”
Ramon Orlina, ‘Punto de Vista’, 2001, Carved asahi glass
“Indeed a play on gaze, ‘Punto de Vista’ makes for an exceptional sculpture that does not fail to amaze from any vantage point — a fitting example of how the shape and texture of glass plays with light and ultimately defines an Orlina.
Ramon Orlina, ‘Cornucopia’, 2001, Carved asahi glass
“Glass sculpture in the Philippines is most associated with Ramon Orlina. In his more than 40 year practice, Orlina has carved out for himself a niche in the field.”
Mauro Malang Santos, ‘Yellow Vendor’, 1985, Acrylic on canvas
“This masterful, delightful composition is in every way iconic — a testimony to the lasting imprint Malang has made on the Filipino psyche.”
Romulo Olazo, ‘Diaphanous B-CXlVlll’, 2010, Acrylic on canvas
“One of the popular discourses on Romulo Olazo’s body of work is the behavior of light and how it is considered a seminal aspect of his oeuvres — perfectly encapsulated by the ‘Diaphanous’ series.”
Romulo Olazo, ‘Diaphanous 71719’, 2010, Acrylic on canvas
“In Diaphanous 71719, light is represented by converging, translucent circular forms. Against a red background, the circular forms seem to resonate and reverberate with a passionate energy.”
Nena Saguil, ‘Untitled (Red Abstract)’, 1958, Oil on canvas
“Nena Saguil is best known for her blue-hued paintings, but she has also produced rare, important paintings in red. The inspiration for the artworks from the red series may be related to the only short story that Saguil wrote entitled Beside the River Seine: A Love Story. ”
Cesar Legaspi, ‘Onslaught’, 1969, Oil on masonite board
“‘Onslaught’ by National Artist Cesar Legaspi depicts a human torso illustrated in his signature geometric, fragmented technique.”
BenCab, ‘Untitled (Mother and Child)’, 1969, Acrylic, pen and ink on board
“ ‘Untitled (Mother and Child)’ is an exceedingly rare and formidable work from the late 1960s counts among the earliest in National Artist Benedicto Cabrera’s storied career.”
Ronald Ventura, ‘Beasty Eyes’, 2021, Oil on canvas with fiberglass and resin
“ ‘Beasty Eyes’ by Ronald Ventura highlights a gothic elegance in this sublime surrealist work.”
Justin Nuyda, ‘Mindscapes: Glimpses of Tagaytay Highlands’, 2000, Oil on canvas
Justin Nuyda’s “Mindscapes: Glimpses of Tagaytay Highlands” is part of his most iconic series, reflecting how Nuyda viewed the world — particularly through the lens of his experience as a lepidopterist.
‘An exquisite Ah Tay bed with 'granada' fruit motif’, 19th century, Narra wood / solihiya / cane
“Another example of virtuosic craftsmanship comes in the form of an exquisite Ah Tay bed with ‘granada’ fruit motif, made by famed Chinese furniture maker, Ah Tay.”
Patek Philippe, Nautilus Ref. 5711/R
“You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next well-appointed generation.”
The Well-Appointed Life live and online auction will take place on Saturday, 17 September, 2022 at 2PM. Register to bid and browse the catalog at salcedoauctions.com. The auction preview begins on Thursday, 8 September and runs daily from 9AM-5PM at NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.
For inquiries, email info@salcedoauctions.com or phone +632 8 8230956 | +63 917 591 2191. Follow @salcedoauctions on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
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